Crying Won't Help You
B.B. King Lyrics


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Oh, no matter what you say, baby
No matter what you do
The way you been treating me, woman
Is coming back home to you

And your crying won't help you, woman
Oh, crying won't help you, baby
Oh, crying won't help you, woman
'Cause you've been so mean to me

Oh, you must remember baby
No matter, where you go
Watch those seeds you scatter, woman 'cause you're gonna reap just what you sow

And your crying won't help you woman
Oh, crying won't help you now
Oh, oh, crying won't help you, baby
'Cause you've been so mean to me

Oh, the way you been treating me, just can't understand
I'm gonna leave you woman, let you do the best you can
And your crying won't help you, baby
Crying won't help you now

Oh, oh, crying won't help you, woman
'Cause you been so mean to me, look out

Oh, just before I leave you woman
Just before I shake your hand
I'm going to get me a woman, baby
Let you get you a man

And your crying won't help you, woman
Crying won't help you now
Oh, oh, crying won't help you, baby
'Cause you been so mean to me





Whoo!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to B.B. King's song "Crying Won't Help You" express a sense of comeuppance and justice for mistreatment in a relationship. The singer addresses their partner, acknowledging that no matter what excuses or actions they offer, their past behavior has consequences that will come back to them. The woman in the song has been "so mean" to the singer, and as a result, their tears and apologies won't soften the harm they have caused.


The message of the song is one of empowerment and self-assurance. The singer declares their intention to leave and find someone who treats them better, confident that the penance their partner will feel is deserved. The repetition of the phrase "crying won't help you" emphasizes the singer's resolve and paints a vivid image of the inevitability of the woman's sorrow. The imagery of seeds and reaping what one sows highlights the theme of accountability and warns against careless actions that will lead to regret.


Overall, the lyrics of "Crying Won't Help You" emphasize the consequences of mistreatment in a relationship and the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions. The song balances a sense of righteous anger with a tone of calm confidence, making for a compelling and memorable statement on human relationships.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, no matter what you say, baby
It doesn't matter what you tell me, darling


No matter what you do
I don't care what actions you take


The way you been treating me, woman
The manner in which you have treated me, my lady


Is coming back home to you
Will return back to you


And your crying won't help you, woman
Your tears won't be effective in rectifying the situation, my lady


Oh, crying won't help you, baby
Crying won't have any positive impact either, darling


Oh, crying won't help you, woman
Your tears are useless, woman


'Cause you've been so mean to me
Since you have been so cruel to me in the past


Oh, you must remember baby
You should keep this in mind, my love


No matter, where you go
Regardless of wherever you venture


Watch those seeds you scatter, woman 'cause you're gonna reap just what you sow
Be mindful of your actions, lady, because they will come back to you


Oh, crying won't help you woman
Don't bother crying it out, woman


Oh, crying won't help you now
Tears won't aid you in the present moment


Oh, oh, crying won't help you, baby
Oh, dear, crying is pointless


'Cause you've been so mean to me
Since you have been so harsh with me


Oh, the way you been treating me, just can't understand
I can't comprehend how you have been treating me


I'm gonna leave you woman, let you do the best you can
I will depart from you, lady, and allow you to do whatever you desire


And your crying won't help you, baby
Even if you cry, it won't benefit you, dear


Crying won't help you now
Tears are useless at this point


Oh, oh, crying won't help you, woman
Oh, crying is of no use, woman


'Cause you been so mean to me, look out
Due to your unkindness towards me, beware


Oh, just before I leave you woman
Just before I walk away from you, lady


Just before I shake your hand
Before I bid you adieu


I'm going to get me a woman, baby
I am going to find myself a lady, dear


Let you get you a man
So that you can also find yourself a man


And your crying won't help you, woman
Your tears will be useless, woman


Crying won't help you now
Tears won't help you at this point


Oh, oh, crying won't help you, baby
Oh, dear, crying is of no benefit to you


'Cause you been so mean to me
Since you have been so cruel to me


Whoo!
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: B.B. KING

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@israelmonteirobg525

Oh, no matter what you say, baby
No matter what you do
The way you been treating me, woman
Is coming back home to you
And your crying won't help you, woman
Oh, crying won't help you, baby
Oh, crying won't help you, woman
'Cause you've been so mean to me
Oh, you must remember baby
No matter, where you go
Watch those seeds you scatter, woman 'cause you're gonna reap just what you sow
And your crying won't help you woman
Oh, crying won't help you now
Oh, oh, crying won't help you, baby
'Cause you've been so mean to me
Oh, the way you been treating me, just can't understand
I'm gonna leave you woman, let you do the best you can
And your crying won't help you, baby
Crying won't help you now
Oh, oh, crying won't help you, woman
'Cause you been so mean to me, look out
Oh, just before I leave you woman
Just before I shake your hand
I'm going to get me a woman, baby
Let you get you a man
And your crying won't help you, woman
Crying won't help you now
Oh, oh, crying won't help you, baby
'Cause you been so mean to me



All comments from YouTube:

@TheJoSilver

One of my favorites from B.B. ... wife gets an ornery smile every time I play it!

@rooseveltdavis9559

I first heard this 50th classic, it was on an 8-track tape (singing the blues) on the united label, in my father's Cadillac. I was only three years old at the time. And after that I been a fan every since. Love those old 1950s blues recordings by the legendary B.B. King. Rest in peace B.B. You're the greatest.

@Thesunrisecat

Bless you

@israelmonteirobg525

Oh, no matter what you say, baby
No matter what you do
The way you been treating me, woman
Is coming back home to you
And your crying won't help you, woman
Oh, crying won't help you, baby
Oh, crying won't help you, woman
'Cause you've been so mean to me
Oh, you must remember baby
No matter, where you go
Watch those seeds you scatter, woman 'cause you're gonna reap just what you sow
And your crying won't help you woman
Oh, crying won't help you now
Oh, oh, crying won't help you, baby
'Cause you've been so mean to me
Oh, the way you been treating me, just can't understand
I'm gonna leave you woman, let you do the best you can
And your crying won't help you, baby
Crying won't help you now
Oh, oh, crying won't help you, woman
'Cause you been so mean to me, look out
Oh, just before I leave you woman
Just before I shake your hand
I'm going to get me a woman, baby
Let you get you a man
And your crying won't help you, woman
Crying won't help you now
Oh, oh, crying won't help you, baby
'Cause you been so mean to me

@bobaldo2339

The 1950's recordings by BB, on Modern/RPM records, such as this one, were and are the quintessential BB King. They are "the real thing".

@rooseveltdavis9559

You can say that again Bob. I love b b's early recordings on those old low budget labels back in the 50's. My personal favorite is the Kent label. That's his best work. He was young,raw and powerful. That's my boy.

@Thesunrisecat

Along that time, when it came to blues and rock n roll, there was were mostly dated attempts at music. This was not. Unless you are an Advocate or a historian, listening to this will not lend you a hint to what decade it came from.

@bobaldo2339

@Thesunrisecat They are not over-produced. There is a big difference between BB's 50's recordings and those that came later on the bigger labels. Sorry you can't tell immediately. I sure can.
Of course I was listening to BB in the 50's. as well as later. Perhaps you are younger.

@coravisser727

This is so brilliant real legend.We shall never forget you for ever your music BB King.

@andys9337

Rip....bb....you were one of the best...if not the best blues player ever!!!!

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